Sun Protection Essentials for your Skin

Look RADIANT this summer! The sun is blazing hot and you want to look hot too, not burnt or roasted though. Great skin glows, and to achieve that requires consistency. You must cleanse, moisturize and PROTECT your skin regularly and properly.

No matter you complexion, Sun protection should be the 1st thing on your beauty priority list right now!

Simply put, you need 3 ESSENTIALS

1. SPF >>Sunscreen, Sunblock

Look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection. Broad-spectrum sunscreens have at least three active ingredients: PABA derivatives, salicylates, and/or cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate and cinoxate) for UVB absorption; benzophenones (such as oxybenzone and sulisobenzone) for shorter-wavelength UVA protection; and avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule (Mexoryl^TM), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for the remaining UVA spectrum

Manufacturers make it easy to spot full-spectrum sunscreens by stating it right on the front of the bottle.Be sure to follow the manufacturers directions regarding applicatio

AVEENO Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer spf-30 (a personal fave)

Coppertone Sports SPF

Banana Boat Sport SPF 30 for a day at the beach

Clinique Face Cream SPF 50 “SUN SMART”

Remember to apply 20mins before sun exposure. Facial Sunblock should match your skin type. Makeup lovers may want to try tinted moisturisers with SPF, instead of the regular makeup application during the daytime

2. Sunglasses >>100% UVA / UVB protection

Shades are now so trendy that you probably cannot imagine leaving home in the daytime without your sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB sun protection. It is important to purchase quality sunglasses.

MIU MIU cat-eye summer 2012

MIU MIU

Roberto Cavalli Summer 2012

Protecting sensitive eyes will prevent photokeratitis, a sunburn of the eyes.  In addition, extended sun exposure can also lead to adult eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. You must also protect the delicate area of skin around your eyes. Your eyes have to last you a lifetime, so take care of them.

3. Hats /Clothing

Every girl must know what summer fashion items is a wise choice to help protect their skin. For hats the denser the fabric, the higher the sun protection and, clearly, the wider the brim, the better. The shade cast should be enough to protect ears, nose and shoulders

Fedoras are still trendy, celebs show how they sun protect with them

Covering up with long sleeves and trousers will definitely lessen the risk to your skin, but clothes are not an impermeable barrier so if you are on the beach, it’s best to apply sunblock all over. A white T-shirt offers a protection index of around six. The protection afforded by darker colours can rise to as much as a ten. Not surprisingly, denim offers one of the highest levels of sun protection, though it’s probably not the most comfortable choice for a sunny day. Opt for cotton fabrics or cotton blends.

vanessa hudgens pairs her hat with lightweight dress

Sunscreen, sunglasses and the right fashion form a sun-protection trifecta. This combination is sure to keep your skin healthy.

Now have a happy summer enjoying the fun in the sun!!!!

One Love 😉

Malibu

Stretching Relaxer Time For Healthier Hair

Relaxed Hair

A lot of women relax their hair religiously every 6 weeks. Most hair stylist recommends that relaxers be retouched every 4-6 weeks, EVEN i do but in some instances your hair’s condition may require a healthy ‘stretch’ which may take you to at least 10-12 weeks.

Here’s why:

Stretching your relaxer has many benefits such as length retention and hair thickness. Hair can be significantly weakened by overlapping applications of chemical hair relaxers, leading to brittleness, breakage, hair loss, thinning and scalp irritation. The purpose of a relaxer touch-up is to straighten the new growth. With the growth rate of hair being an average of ½ inch every month, you’re bound to overlap your new relaxer on already relaxed hair.

UN-treated hair that needs a touch-up WILL lead to damage

Now its important to note that stretching your relaxer does NOT mean ignoring your hair; like so many ladies like to do when its time for a touch-up. When stretching relaxers, hair should always be moisturized. It is important to deep condition your hair weekly, this will contribute to softness of your new growth. New growth is the strongest part of your hair so the weakest portion, which is the ends need the most attention. Often times, hair begin to break when it’s stretch. This is due to the delicate nature of the relaxed hair. Sometimes when the new growth meets the demarcation line (the line defining the boundary between the new growth and relax hair) the relaxed hair tends to break off because it’s not as strong. A good remedy for this would be the use of monthly protein treatments. Hair is primarily made up of a protein called keratin. When hair is relaxed the keratin bonds are broken to straighten the hair. Protein treatments help to restore the strength of the hair strand. Protein needs to be balanced with moisture, because too much protein will eventually dry out your hair. So it is imperative that you get professional treatments while stretching your relaxer.

twist rods gives a curly look that hides new growth. A style option when stretching relaxer

It is also important to reduce manipulation of your hair while stretching your relaxed hair especially in the latter weeks. Some styles you can wear to prevent breakage are sew in weaves, braids, buns, the twist and curl, braid-outs and roller sets. Remember ALSO that mild shampoos are best for relaxed hair. Shampoos that contain sulfates tend to dry out relaxed hair. All this while still maintaining the nightly routine of wrapping your up will result in positive hair benefits

 So MY PRO TIP is: try increasing your stretch a week more each time. Stretching your relaxer is a great way to maintain healthy relaxed hair. Simply try it…your hair will love you for it!

One Love,

Malibu 😉